Etowah school board approves settlement, land purchase

Published: Wednesday, November 14, 2012 at 7:01 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, November 14, 2012 at 7:02 p.m.

The Etowah County Board of Education on Tuesday approved allowing Superintendent Alan Cosby to enter into a settlement of a lawsuit against the school system.

After meeting with attorneys in executive session, board member Ernie Payne made a motion to give the superintendent authority to settle the case with his discretion, which Cosby said was recommended by attorneys. Board member Danny Golden seconded the motion and it was approved by the board.

Cosby said he would not discuss specifics of the lawsuit, calling it a pending legal matter. He said the matter now is in the hands of the board’s attorneys.

The board also voted to buy a half-acre of land in Sardis City to help with access to property the board already bought as a site for a proposed middle school. The cost of the land, which is being bought from an individual, is $7,500, and Cosby said he expected to close on the purchase Wednesday afternoon.

The board finalized its purchase of 15 acres of land behind Sardis City Hall in June. It purchased the first tract of land from the same individual for $225,000.

<p>The Etowah County Board of Education on Tuesday approved allowing Superintendent Alan Cosby to enter into a settlement of a lawsuit against the school system.</p><p>After meeting with attorneys in executive session, board member Ernie Payne made a motion to give the superintendent authority to settle the case with his discretion, which Cosby said was recommended by attorneys. Board member Danny Golden seconded the motion and it was approved by the board.</p><p>Cosby said he would not discuss specifics of the lawsuit, calling it a pending legal matter. He said the matter now is in the hands of the board's attorneys.</p><p>The board also voted to buy a half-acre of land in Sardis City to help with access to property the board already bought as a site for a proposed middle school. The cost of the land, which is being bought from an individual, is $7,500, and Cosby said he expected to close on the purchase Wednesday afternoon.</p><p>The board finalized its purchase of 15 acres of land behind Sardis City Hall in June. It purchased the first tract of land from the same individual for $225,000.</p>